Flag of Djibouti, France's colony in Africa

The flag of Djibouti has two equally sized horizontal bands that dissect the flag.

The country was the last in Africa to gain its independence from France.

The first color is light blue and is at the top of the flag. The second color is light green and is on the bottom portion of the flag.

A white triangle is on the hoist side. In the center of the white triangle is a red five-pointed star. It has a size ratio of 4:7.

The white color on the flag of Djibouti is said to represent peace.

The blue color is the sea and sky. In addition, the green color represents the earth.

The red star stands for unity of the people.

Since 1972, this flag was originally used by the African National Liberation Union. This group has different meanings for the colors.

They say the colors are representative of the Afar Muslims for the green. The blue is for the Issas who are also Muslims. The flag of Djibouti was officially hoisted in June 1977. Mahamond Harbi who was an independentalist leader designed it. The military use a roundel of concentric circles disks of yellow, light blue, green, and white with red five-pointed star inscribed in the white disk.

History of the Flag of Djibouti

Around 825 A.D., this area of Africa was an Islam region. It was ruled and controlled by the Afars and the Issas who were heavily into trading with the rest of the world.

These Arab traders maintained control until the 16th century. In 1862, the French arrived. After monetary negotiations with the sultans, the French were granted the right to settle in this area.

The French were competing with the British for a presence. The British had already set up territorial rights in the area. In 1888, the French build the Djibouti City on the southern shore, which was mostly settled by the Somalis.

Djibouti was the official outlet of their commerce. The French built a railroad which is today of vital commercial important to the Ethiopians. The area was known as the French Somaliland.

The French tricolor flag of red, white, and blue flew over the country.

In 1945, the French Somaliland was proclaimed an overseas territory of France.

In 1949, the Issas demonstrated against the colonial powers of Italy, England, and France. They wanted to expel all colonial powers. The Afars supported the French rule.

In trying to ease some of the unrest in the country, the French expelled the Somalis from the area. They also changed the name of the area to the French Territory of the Afars and Issas.

In the early 1970’s, the expelled Somalis had joined the Somali Coast Liberation Front.

In 1972, the current flag of Djibouti was used by the African National Liberation Union. After uprising in 1976, France granted independence to the area in 1977.

Djibouti was the last French colony in Africa to win independence. The country adopted the African National Liberation Union flag as their national flag. During Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait, Djibouti signed a military pact with Iraq while allowing France to increase its military forces in Djibouti. The President also allowed allied forces to use Djibouti's naval facilities. In November 1991, Afar rebels launched a civil war in what they considered their traditional territory in the north of the country.

The people approved a new constitution at a 1992 referendum. In 1994 a peace accord was finally signed In 1997 before their general elections, renewed fighting between Afar separatists who had opposed the peace negotiations and government forces. The rebels were quickly overcome by government troops.

Since his election in 1997, Guelleh has strengthened ties with France and has allowed a buildup of French soldiers within Djibouti.

by Linda Chambers